About the job

Job summary

If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth.  

Our work ranges from protecting customers through the regulation of the financial sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and creating a greener economy, to promoting British trade around the world and supporting people across the country on jobs, growth and more.  

HM Treasury is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, ways of working and thinking makes us stronger and better at developing policy that reflects the needs of every community. We embrace different views and experiences and value the new perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.  

We are part of the Darlington Economic Campus, a pioneering new cross-government hub which brings people together to play an active role in the most important issues of the day whilst working closer to the communities we serve. The campus provides the opportunity for people from all over the UK to help shape the future of the country, and our flexible working practices ensure you can collaborate effectively with our partners. It’s central government, made more accessible to you! 

Job description

Economics Group

About the Group

The Economics Group leads HM Treasury’s analysis of developments in the UK economy and advises ministers on the implications for the Government’s economic strategy. It provides expert economic analysis and advice for Ministers. The Group’s data hub is transforming how the Treasury uses data across its entire business. The Group collaborates with external experts on the UK economy, including the Bank of England, Office for Budget Responsibility and leading academics. Economics Group provides support for the UK Government’s economic and social research professions, including running centralised recruitment and the annual conferences.

About the team

The Government Economic and Social Research Team (GESR) is a friendly and dynamic team providing specific support to the Government Social Research (GSR) and Government Economic Service (GES) professions, which have over 2,600 and 3,700 members across government, respectively. Social researchers and economists work at the heart of decision-making in government, providing analysis and insight in support of the entire range of UK Government and public service activities.     

GESR's work also reaches right across government - working with Departments, Devolved Administrations, and other organisations in the UK Civil Service to ensure that social researchers and economists have all the tools to produce the best analysis and evidence for policy makers. We also work with external organisations as partners on shared agendas including improving the use of evidence in policy making and growing diversity in recruitment.   

The team is organised into a Strategy and an Operations team, who together deliver all the policies and commitments in the GSR and GES Strategies on behalf of and in conjunction with the Boards of senior staff who govern both professions. It is a high-profile team across both professions with extensive opportunities for leadership. 

Continuous improvement – finding ways to do things better and then delivering them – is central to the way we work. Diversity and inclusion of people and ideas is at the heart of all we do, and you must also be committed to role modelling the positive and inclusive behaviours we expect of our membership.   

The postholder has the advantages that come from both working inside HM Treasury, and from working right across the differing departments and organisations that make up the UK Government. This is the ideal post for an individual who can see the bigger picture and wishes to build more experience of working with senior leaders and delivering cross-government change.   

About the job

Are you passionate about shaping government decisions through high-quality research? We have an exciting opportunity for you!

We are looking for a pro-active individual with leadership skills and analytical expertise, who wants to work with senior leaders to drive the development of the Government Social Research (GSR) profession and to promote the use of high-quality and influential research in government decision-making.

The post holder will work closely with senior GSR leaders directly, including the Head and Deputy Heads, departmental Heads of Profession and the GESR Deputy Director.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the GSR Strategy and the development of future Strategies, coordinating working groups, and working closely with internal partners and external collaborators to ensure all priorities are identified and met.
• Co-ordinate action across the GSR profession to maximise the impact of social research and build strong relationships with collaborators at all levels.
• Provide authoritative advice on social research issues. You will become the go-to person on social research priorities and challenges, briefing leaders and engaging directly in discussions affecting the role and value of social research, the development of best practice and setting of standards.
• Act as line manager for an HEO, prioritising and role modelling professional development.  There will be opportunities to also build mini teams for specific tasks – such as the annual GSR Conference. 
• Direct the team’s engagement with the 2,600 members of GSR, shaping the work programme to respond to member concerns. This includes a regular rhythm of member communications and events and delivery of the prestige annual GSR Conference.
• Influence the GESR team’s work across all GSR matters, working closely with recruitment colleagues to maintain high standards for candidates and existing GSR members, and representing an expert voice in designing assessments, tests, sifting applications for central schemes.
• Get involved in high-profile HMT projects. As an analyst, you will have the opportunity to contribute to, or lead specific analytical projects in HMT and/or the HMT/CO/No.10 GSR Community.

The role offers an excellent opportunity for different types of candidates. For a social researcher/analyst working outside government, this role will boost their political awareness, partner engagement skills, and ability to influence at the highest levels across the analytical community within government. For a social researcher/analyst already in government, this is a high-profile ‘Grade 7’ role, particularly suitable for existing GSR members applying on promotion or level transfer to combine their technical expertise with strategic, delivery, and big picture skills. The role is relevant for someone with wider analytical experience or strong strategy and delivery skills, who wishes to learn how social research works in government.

After you are in post, if you are not already a Grade 7 GSR member but are eligible to join (see the GSR Membership Guidance), there will be an opportunity to join the profession through a badging board. These Boards are held jointly across HMT/Cabinet Office/No. 10 and full guidance would be provided. 

Candidate Drop-In Session 
 
We will be running a candidate drop-in session for this role to give you greater insight about the role as well as the chance to learn more about HM Treasury and the recruitment process. If you would like to join us, then use the appropriate link below to join the call at the right time. 

Thursday 11th April 2pm

If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact Joanna McGowan at joanna.mcgowan@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Person specification

We are looking for the below skills, experience and behaviours and we will ask you to demonstrate these in your application form. Please review the Candidate FAQ document that is attached to the advert for guidance on how to complete your application form.   

1. Seeing the Big Picture

Ensure plans and activities in your area of work reflect wider strategic priorities and communicate effectively with senior leaders to influence future workstreams.

2. Communicating and Influencing

Communicate with others in a clear, honest and enthusiastic way in order to build trust, while monitoring the effectiveness of own and team communications.

 3. Making Effective Decisions

Clarify your own understanding and stakeholder needs and expectations, before making decisions, while ensuring decision making happens at the right level.

 4. Experience

Experience and/or knowledge of working with social research, social researchers, or other analytical professions to deliver strategic projects or increase research capability. (please note experience/knowledge does not have to be in government). 

The lead criterion is: Seeing the big picture.

If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criterion only. Candidates will then be assessed against the other criteria if they have met the minimum score on the lead criteria.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £52,960, HM Treasury contributes £14,299 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Recruitment Timeline 

Closing date: 22 April 2024

Shortlisting: w/b 22 / 29 April

Interviews:  w/b 13 May 

This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline. 

If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile. 

Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted.

Location-Based Reserve Lists 

You will be placed on a reserve list if your application is successful, but we cannot offer you a post immediately. Where more than one location has been advertised, candidates will be approached for roles in merit order according to the first preferred location stated on your application form. 

Please note that a place on the reserve list does not guarantee an offer. We would still encourage you to apply for other HM Treasury opportunities that you are interested in. If you are offered a role in your first preferred location and you decline the offer or you are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe, you will be removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances. 

Eligibility Statement  

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Checks will be performed as part of pre-employment checks in line with this. Please refer to the Candidate FAQ document attached to the advert for more information. 

Individuals appointed to the Treasury Group will be subject to National Security Vetting. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out applicants will normally need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. A lack of UK residency in itself is not always a bar to security clearance but the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case by case basis using all information that can be obtained following a successful application. 

Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.  

For many roles, security clearance is also required. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements of the role before they can be appointed. The level of security clearance required for this role is Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)

Please read the Vetting Charter for information on what to expect during the vetting process and what will be expected from you.  

Many areas of your life may be explored during your vetting journey, and it is important that every individual, regardless of their background and experiences, should feel comfortable going through this personal process, whilst having confidence that it is fair, proportionate, and inclusive.  

These short videos address common concerns and preconceptions which applicants may have about national security vetting.  

If you have questions relating to security clearances, please contact HMTSecurityVetting@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.